It is not uncommon for believers to experience a deep spiritual renewal after weeks of revival meetings, Bible conferences, or camp gatherings. During such times, hearts are stirred, commitments are made, and many feel the nearness of God in a special way.
Yet, sadly, these mountaintop experiences often fade with the return to daily life. It seems that a return to life as usual comes with defaulting into spaces that chokes the spiritual experience needed to keep us walking softly in the sanctuary.
The pressing question, then, is this: how can we safeguard a new spiritual experience so that it grows stronger rather than withering away?
Ellen G. White gives wise counsel in True Revival:
“The period of great spiritual light, if that light is not sacredly cherished and acted upon, will be turned into a time of corresponding spiritual darkness. The impression made by the Spirit of God, if men do not cherish the sacred impression, and occupy holy ground, will fade from the mind. Those who would advance in spiritual knowledge must stand by the very fount of God, and drink again and again from the wells of salvation so graciously opened unto them. They must never leave the source of refreshment; but with hearts swelling with gratitude and love at the display of the goodness and compassion of God, they must be continually partakers of the living water.” —True Revival, p. 76
This reflection captures both the danger and the opportunity: spiritual fire can either be extinguished or fanned into a lifelong flame. Scripture provides practical principles for safeguarding this new spiritual experience.
We’ll cover:
- Abide Daily in Christ
- Guard Against Spiritual Neglect
- Embrace the Fellowship of Believers
- Live Out the Experience Through Service
- Keep Returning to the Wells of Salvation
- Conclusion
Abide Daily in Christ
Jesus declared, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4, NKJV).
Christ presents an imagery that should never be forgotten; a vital connection. A branch only remains alive by continuous connection to the vine. It does not choose when to be connected. Any disconnect results in initiation of another process—death and decay.
The secret to sustaining spiritual vitality is not a one-time event but a daily connection with Christ.
This involves consistent prayer, meditation on Scripture, and surrender of the will. Just as a branch draws life continuously from the vine, so the believer must remain in living union with Jesus.
But many are spiritually malnourished. They depend on one good meal (and this is not always the case everywhere) on the sabbath and then become scavengers, eating dead bread throughout the week. Christ didn’t mix words here. He made it plain that man cannot live by bread alone.
Therefore, we must abide daily in the fountains of living waters, and while at it, we must guard against spiritual neglect.
Guard Against Spiritual Neglect
The Apostle Paul urged Timothy, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you” (2 Timothy 1:6, NKJV).
Spiritual gifts and experiences fade if left unattended. Like a fire left without fuel, neglect leads to coldness and darkness.
The reason why we must keep a spiritual guard is because, by choosing the yoke of Christ, we declare war against the kingdom of satan. Before meeting Christ, we were serving him, and rooting for him (consciously or unconsciously).
However, when we start thinking about eternity, the camp of satan feels the danger of losing our candidacy and influence. And he doesn’t just sit and see us escape his trap that easily. He is determined not to die alone and must seek compatriots for the hellfire and eternal separation from God, the fountain of life.
This is what happens:
“When there is no special effort made to resist his power, when indifference prevails in the church and the world, Satan is not concerned; for he is in no danger of losing those whom he is leading captive at his will. But when the attention is called to eternal things, and souls are inquiring, “What must I do to be saved?” he is on the ground, seeking to match his power against the power of Christ and to counteract the influence of the Holy Spirit.” —Darkness Before Dawn. p.5.
When you begin to find sense in holy things, satan must review his marcenaries and find ways to counteract the influences that bring you closer to God. That is why you cannot sustain a new experience with the old attitudes and lifestyle.
Jesus made it clear in the gospel:
“No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse. Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved” (Matthew 9:16-17, NKJV).
To safeguard the spiritual experience, one must actively resist spiritual complacency by setting aside time for worship, Bible study, and reflection. And in this, you’re not alone.
Embrace the Fellowship of Believers
There is power in gathering people together for any cause. Like pieces of burning coal sustain their flames by remaining together, we maintain our spiritual fire by remaining together with people who are on fire for Christ.
The early church “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42, NKJV).
The Christian community provides encouragement, accountability, and mutual strengthening. By surrounding ourselves with those who are also walking with Christ, we safeguard against isolation and discouragement.
The Bible makes it clear:
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25, NKJV)
Get back to that morning devotion team. Revive that Bible study group. Find warmth in the burning coals.
Live Out the Experience Through Service
True spiritual growth flourishes when faith is put into action through service.
James reminds us, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22, NKJV).
Sharing the gospel, ministering to others, and practicing selfless love prevent stagnation. Service keeps the heart open to the constant inflow of God’s grace.
“The line of demarcation between those who serve God and those who serve Him not, is ever to remain distinct. The difference between believers and unbelievers should be as great as the difference between light and darkness. When God’s people take the position that they are the temple of the Holy Ghost, Christ Himself abiding within, they will so clearly reveal Him in spirit, words, and actions, that there will be an unmistakable distinction between them and Satan’s followers” —Selected Messages Book 3, p. 211.2 (Ellen Gould White)
If you have truly changed camps, then make the line of demarcation clear. Let us see by your attitudes and even your timeline that you’re serving a different master.
Keep Returning to the Wells of Salvation
Isaiah invites, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3, NKJV).
Spiritual refreshment is not a single drink but a continual drawing. Revival is maintained by returning again and again to Christ, the fountain of living waters (John 7:37–38).
In the spiritual wells we don’t drink like camels—taking one powerful drought and going days without water. Instead, we drink daily.
Tweet
Keep returning to that old Bible. Sing them over again, the wonderful words of life. Go gather up your manna for everyday.
Conclusion
Safeguarding a new spiritual experience requires intentionality. It is not enough to rejoice in the mountaintop moment; the believer must daily abide in Christ, guard against neglect, remain in fellowship, live out faith in service, and continually drink from the wells of salvation.
In this way, the fire kindled during times of revival will not fade into darkness but will burn steadily, leading the believer from strength to strength until the day when faith becomes sight in the presence of Christ.
The Cleaver 
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